Pitch raising device



Dec. 24, 1940. w WEEDIN I 2,226,085

I PITCH mzsme DEVICE Filed Sept. 18, 1959 Patented Dec. 24, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

This invention relates to an attachment for guitars and the like stringed instruments, whereby the pitch of any desired string or strings of the instrument may be instantly raised while playing the instrument so that additional chords may be struck without changing the tuning of the instrument by operation of the usual tuning pegs or keys.

An object of the present invention is to provide a device of the above kind which is comparatively simple in construction, efficient in use, and easily applied to the instrument.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device of the above kind wherein a pitch changing device is provided for each string of the instrument, and wherein each pitch chang ing device may be adjusted so as to be operable for varying the pitch of the associated string any desired amount and to effect an accurate change of pitch.

With the above general objects in view, and others that will become apparent as the nature of the invention is better understood, the present invention consists of the novel form, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, shown in the accompanying drawing and claimed.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a side View showing a portion of the neck and neck head of a guitar, and illustrating the device of the present invention in position upon the neck head of the instrument,

Figure 2 is a face or top plain view of the device shown in Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional View thereof drawn on an enlarged scale, and

Figure 4 is a perspective view of one of the presser bars forming-part of the present invention.

Referring in detail to the drawing, 5 indicates the neck and 6 the neck head of a guitar or like musical instrument having strings 6a tensioned over a nut T and tuned by operation of the usual tuning keys 8 carried by the neck head 6. The usual fret bars 9 are provided across the neck 5 under the strings 6a..

The present attachment includes a base late In fastened by means of screws II or the like upon the neck head 5 between the nut 1 and the keys 8, said base plate l0 carrying a plurality of pitch changing devices I2, one for each of the strings 6a.

Each pitch changing device l2 consists of a U- shaped sheet metal bracket having its intermediate portion fastened upon the base plate I!) by riveting or the like as at l3, the side members of the bracket being parallel with the associated strings 6a which passes therebetween. Pivotally mounted on and between the side members of each bracket is a presser bar l4 whose pivot I5 is provided at one end thereof so that the presser bar is mounted for vertical swinging movement. Suitable springs l6 are provided between the side members of the bracket and between the intermediate portion of the bracket and the associated presser bar 14 for normally yieldingly elevating the latter out of contact with the associated string. Means is associated with each presser bar for forcing the same downwardly in to contact with the associated string Bar for changing the pitch thereof, and such means consists of an internally threaded tube ll pivoted at its lower end as at I8 for rocking movement and having a screw l9 threaded therethrough. The lower end of the screw l9 projects at the bottom of the threaded tube H for engagement with the associated presser bar l4 when the tube I1 is swung upwardly to the full line position of Figure 3. When this is done, the associated presser bar I4 is forced downwardly so as to exert a downward pressure upon the adjacent string 60. to thereby change the pitch of the latter. At this time, the fiat lower end of screw l9 flatly contacts the upper surface of the associated presser bar l4 so as to maintain the latter in engagement with the string, the tension of the springs l6 holding the presser bar M in contact with the lower end of screw l9 so that the parts are maintained in this pitch changing position until manually operated. By simply swinging the screw l9 and tube l1 downwardly to the dotted line position of Figure 3, the presser bar I4 is released so that it is swung upwardly by the spring 16 out of engagement with the adjacent string 6a of the instrument for permitting said string to return to its normal pitch. By adjusting screw l9 longitudinally through the tube ll, the desired change of pitch may be varied and accurately adjusted. A jam nut 20 is threaded on the screw IS in position to jamb against the upper end of the tube l1 for securing the screw l9 in its adjusted position. By providing a pitch changing device of this kind for each string and mounting all of the pitch changing devices upon a common supporting base, a unitary structure is had which may be readily applied to the instrument. Each pitch changing device is independently operable so that the pitch of each string may be independently changed and so that any desired one or more of the strings may be easily changed in pitch. With an ordinary guitar, the user is able, by means of the present attachment, to obtain the same number of chords as are possible in a double neck guitar, without operating the tuning keys to change the entire tuning of the instrument. By making the presser bars l4 flexible, they may yield to the pressure of the screws l9 when the latter are adjusted to obtain a change in pitch greater than a semi-tone.

It will be apparent that each pitch changing device is identical with the rest so that specific description of one will sufiice for all. In the instrument shown, there are six strings, and a pitch changing device is provided for each of these strings. The present invention makes it possible to obtain added chords quickly While playing the instrument, and it is not necessary to manually hold the parts I1 and I 9 in the pitch changing position or in the position wherein the presser bars are released from the strings.

What I claim as new is:

1. In a pitch changing means of the character described, a pitch changing device comprising a U-shaped bracket, a presser bar pivoted at one end between the sides of said brackets and under which the string of the instrument is adapted to pass, a pivoted element mounted between the sides of the bracket and movable to a set position to depress and maintain the presser bar into engagement with the string or to another position wherein the same is disengaged from said presser bar, and a spring for elevating said presser bar out of engagement with the string when the pivoted element is disengaged from said presser bar.

2. In a pitch changing means of the character described, a pitch changing device comprising a U-shaped bracket, a presser bar pivoted at one end between the sides of said brackets and under which the string of the instrument is adapted to 'pass, a pivoted element mounted between the sides of the bracket and movable to depress the presser bar into engagement with the string or to another position wherein the same is disengaged from said presser bar, and a spring for elevating said presser bar out of engagement with the string when the pivoted element is disengaged from said presser bar, said element including a member having a flat end engageable with the presser bar whereby the element is maintained in the presser bar depressing position when set in such position.

3. In a pitch changing means of the character described, a pitch changing device comprising a U-shaped bracket, a presser bar pivoted at one end between the sides of said brackets and under which the string of the instrument is adapted to pass, a pivoted element mounted between the sides of the bracket and movable to a set position to depress and maintain the presser bar into engagement with the string or to another position wherein the same is disengaged from said presser bar, and a spring for elevating said presser bar out of engagement with the string when the pivoted element is disengaged from said presser bar, said element comprising a pivoted internally threaded tube, and a screw adjustably threaded through said tube and arranged to have its lower end impinge the presser bar.

4. In a pitch changing means of the character described, a pitch changing device comprising a U-shaped bracket, a presser bar pivoted at one end between the sides of said brackets and under which the string of the instrument is adapted to pass, a pivoted element mounted between the sides of the bracket and movable to a set position to depress and maintain the presser bar into engagement with the string or to another position wherein the same is disengaged from said presser bar, a spring for elevating said presser bar out of engagement with the string when the pivoted element is disengaged from said presser bar, said element comprising a pivoted internally threaded tube, and a screw adjustabiy threaded through said tube and arranged to have its lower end impinge the presser bar, said presser bar comprising an elongated strip of resilient material.

WILLIAM TOLMAN WEEDIN. 

